How much does it cost to transport oil by rail?

Published by Charlie Davidson on

How much does it cost to transport oil by rail?

Finally, transporting oil and gas by rail is generally more expensive for producers than transporting it by pipeline. On average, it costs between US$10-$15 per barrel to transport oil and gas by rail compared to $5 a barrel for pipeline.

Is it cheaper to transport oil by train or pipeline?

The Congressional Research Service estimates that transporting crude oil by pipeline is cheaper than rail, about $5/barrel versus $10 to $15/barrel. But rail is more flexible and has 140,000 miles of track in the United States compared to 57,000 miles of crude oil pipelines.

Which railroad company transports the most oil?

BNSF, a Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK. A) company and the biggest railway mover of crude in the U.S., posted an increase of 60% in carloads of crude oil and petroleum products during that period, and they are upping that even further.

Is it smart to move crude oil by rail?

In addition, the safety of pipelines has improved significantly in recent years. Rail release volumes are generally much lower than for pipelines, as: 1) railways move less crude oil than pipelines overall, and 2) in any given rail incident, such as a derailment, generally few cars are involved.

What is the cheapest way to transport oil?

Pipelines remain cheapest way to transport oil Speaking of cost, pipeline is also far and away the cheapest mode of transport. Ranges vary based primarily on distance traveled and grades of crude, but pipeline transportation generally ranges between $2 and $4 per barrel.

What’s the safest way to transport oil?

Both rail and pipelines are quite safe, but pipelines are without a doubt the safest way to transport oil and gas. In every year from 2003 to 2013, pipelines experienced fewer occurrences per million barrels of oil equivalent transported than did rail.

How much does BNSF charge to move a barrel of oil?

As long as the shipper’s compliant, why should there be a surcharge?” BNSF in January began applying a $1,000-a-car surcharge to haul DOT-111s filled with crude. That added about $1.50 a barrel to the cost of transporting oil on them.

Who owns the railroad that hauls the oil?

Berkshire Hathaway
BNSF Railway

BNSF 7520, an GE ES44DC, in Mojave, California
Overview
Parent company Berkshire Hathaway
Headquarters Fort Worth, Texas
Reporting mark BNSF

Is it safer to transport oil by rail or pipeline?

When it comes to the transportation of oil, pipelines have been found to be much safer transportation than trucks or rail, and with reduced pipeline capacity there is increasing use of rail, resulting in a higher risk of a spill or incident, such as in June of 2018, when approximately 230,000 gallons of crude oil …

What is the most environmentally friendly way to transport oil?

While long-haul oil and gas pipelines are also more economical and environmentally friendly than other modes of transport like rail or trucking (pipelines create 61 to 77% less greenhouse gas emissions than rail when moving crude over long distances, says one recent study), they also have a safe delivery rate of …

What is the fastest way to transport oil?

PROS: Pipelines are typically the cheapest, and in some cases quickest, way to move crude in the U.S., and they spill less often than other transport methods. In 2014, pipelines delivered 3.4 billion barrels of crude oil to U.S. refineries, according to Energy Information Administration data.

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